What an amazing end to 2013, the meeting room was packed for our December meeting.

Kris Williams as Head of James Rennie School based in Carlisle came to discuss the work they do as a specialist communication and interaction college. It has great value in our community and Kris explained the complexities of working with children with learning difficulties, while giving them the most normal school experience possible.

Changing technology has impacted learning vastly in recent years and I think everyone had fun using the learning ipad. This was an interesting and inspiring talk, giving us all a view of school life from a completely different perspective.

In a slight change to our normal formula(as it is Christmas)we will be asked the businesses attending to bring along a small gift or voucher, these can be used by the school in raffles they may hold in the future to raise school funds.

Guests enjoyed a fantastic buffet provided by Premier Inn, and judging by peoples reluctance to leave, networking was working well to make new connections for all businesses attending.

Businesses in attendance this week:

Kris Williams – James Rennie School

Lucy Paterson – Utility Warehouse

Stephen Harrison – Eden Golf Club

Hannah Turner – Eden Golf Club

Gary Watson – Border Motor Group

Graham Jackson – Solway Communication

Joanna Seminara – David Allan Recovery Solutions

David McDermott – David Allen Recovery Solutions

David Martin – Lloyd Motor

Laura Waters – Total Power

Simon Hughes – Provident

Brian Lightowler – Quality Guild

Hazel Lanchberry – North and Beyond First Aid training

Ingrid Fox – Dialogue Counselling

Jamie Hamilton – J H Book keeping

Ray Cassidy – SEO training

Greg Kelly – Ultimate Security and Investigations

Mike Morris – Chamber of Commerce

Helen McKenzie – Candy Print

Chloe Turner – Cumberland Building Society

Gary R – Cumberland Building Society

Amanda Ryan – Social Elf

Sam Grieve – Premier Inn

Hannah Rocke – Premier Inn

Ian Sneddon – David Allen

Lindsay McWilliams – Country House Outdoor

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https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/december2013/feed/0knowyourneighbourkyn1kyn2kyn3kyn4kyn5kyn6kyn7kyn8kyn9kyn12Quiet people…https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/quiet-people/
https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/quiet-people/#respondFri, 15 Nov 2013 17:48:42 +0000http://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/?p=109]]>]]>https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/quiet-people/feed/0knowyourneighbourKYNquote2Know Your Neighbours November 2013https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/november2013/
https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/november2013/#respondFri, 08 Nov 2013 21:42:54 +0000http://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/?p=91Continue reading →]]>Guest Speaker: Sue Frith from Sueperior Doors, she showcased her range of products and the new technology available which can ultimately save her clients money, and gave a demonstration of her latest product.

To prove how easy her new Clicbox DIY carcass system is to put together, David Martin was called up to give it a go, and actually managed to put it together in less than 5 minutes.

The representatives attending enjoyed a wonderful buffet provided by Premier Inn and networked with others in the relaxing meeting room.

Businesses in attendance this week:

Sue Simmons – Hobbycraft

Charlie Reynolds – Hobbycraft

Simon Richardson – Keyishoes

David Martin – Lloyd Volvo

Amanda Ryan – Social Elf

Greg Kelly – Ultimate Security and Investigation

Jeni Banks – Mayfifteen Networking Group

Sarah Clive – Superhero Academy

Hazel Lanchberry – North & Beyond First Aid Training

Sue Firth – Sueperior Doors

Brian Lightowler – QG Management standards

Helen MacKenzie – Candy Print

Kirsty Martindale – Liberty Clothing Carlisle

Chloe Turner – Cumberland Building Society

Mark Taylor – Bluefin

Michelle Masters – Michelle Masters Consulting

Maggie Creighton – Outsourced HR

Nicola Latimer – Jardine Finance Ltd

]]>https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/november2013/feed/0knowyourneighbourkynnovkynnov2kynnov3kynnov4kynnov8kynnov5kynnov6kynnov7kynnov9Be interested in others.https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/be-interested-in-others/
https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/be-interested-in-others/#respondSat, 19 Oct 2013 17:44:12 +0000http://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/?p=102]]>]]>https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/be-interested-in-others/feed/0knowyourneighbourKnowyourneighbourquoteKnow Your Neighbours October 2013https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/october2013/
https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/october2013/#respondWed, 02 Oct 2013 20:44:40 +0000http://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/?p=50Continue reading →]]>Guest Speaker: Sue Simmons from Hobbycraft discussed the Outreach program that Hobbycraft runs, and the different area which that covers. From working with school, Scout and Guide groups, birthday parties and charities the Outreach program covers the fun of using all crafts.

She all so discussed the new Corporate program where colleagues can team build and relax, while developing key skills and creating a wonderful end product.

Shelley Luck from Hobbycraft then gave a demonstration of Decopatch, the way of decoration papermache shapes using thin colourful pieces of paper. The attendees couldn’t wait to have a go at what turned out to be a very calming process with a quick and pleasing result.

Hobbycraft gave away a child’s party and a crafting kit as prise draw gift.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 20 business, who enjoyed a great buffet provided by Premier Inn and socialising with other business people.

This month saw a slight change in our entry system as we now charge a small fee of £3 for attendees, but if it’s your first time or you bring a guest that’s new; attendance for both of you is free.

David did business studies and economics at college and put these to great use – training as a baker for 7 months! Deciding that stupidly early starts were not for him he joined the NHS and worked as an internal auditor doing systems and quality audits. He then followed his passion and became fleet manager, purchasing and looking after a fleet of around 250 cars for the NHS in Dumfries.

From there he became the classic gamekeeper turned poacher and joined Lloyd Motors to do business sales. He has worked across multiple franchises within Lloyd Group and is currently back to what he describes as his spiritual home at Volvo.

Married with 2 gorgeous daughters aged 7 and 6 David doesn’t get much time! When he has a moment he can be found in his garden or greenhouse where he loves growing vegetables, in the kitchen cooking them or at Palmerston Park cheering on Queen of the South.

So David what made you choose this business? You do not choose the motor-trade, it chooses you!

What training did you have to do for your business? None was formally required but I have done loads of specialist funding and taxation courses, we get frequently updated by manufacturers and the large amount of FCA stuff is required now

What motivates you? I enjoy genuinely saving businesses money by providing efficient vehicles for their fleet. That and the clients happy faces when they collect their new car.

How important is the support of your family? Very important, they are a sounding board for all my stress and grief

What is your proudest achievement? Winning sales person of the year for The Lloyd Group.

What part of your business do you enjoy most?Meeting new people.

How do you keep inspired in your business? There is always something new to talk about, business is all about innovation.

Who has had the most impact on you as a business person? Gary Horn, dealer principal at Lloyd Volvo. Gave me my start and instilled always doing the right thing.

What has been the biggest challenge facing your business? Oh the usual, recession, changing buying patterns, the internet.

How do you encourage creative thinking in your organisation? We have daily meetings where we discuss what we are on with, its an open forum to give people a chance to chip in with any fresh ideas

What impact has social media had on your business? A great impact. I tweet personally which has led me to be in contact with lots of people I would never have done so. Our Facebook page allows us to communicate on another level.

What Impact has networking had on your business? This has been the greatest thing for me. I enjoy it and its fantastic to meet local businesses in a less formal setting!

Are you rolling out any new products or services in the future? The manufacturers are always bringing out more efficient vehicle – in 10 years time electric vehicles will be the norm. On a personal level I have some ideas up my sleeve – I’ll come back to you on that!

What advise would you give to a new small business owner? Get established then come and see me for a great deal on a new car!!

Greg gave an informative and humorous talk detailing the investigation side of his business. Requests for this service can cover internal theft from the workplace, bogus claims, statement taking, process serving, investigating accidents in the workplace, employee absenteeism, industrial espionage and personal marital affairs. He explained the legalities involved in these difficult situations and how the use of surveillance can be essential in gathering evidence.

Greg very kindly offered and bottle of champaign and a fabulous surveillance pen as prise draw gifts .

The lucky winner of the surveillance camera pen was Nathan Richardson from Richardson Home Improvements .

We had representatives from 16 different businesses join us for a pleasant evening of discussion, problem solving and general socialising.

It was lovely to see so many new faces and hope to see you all again next month.

Remember to bring your neighbour.

]]>https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/09/05/september2013/feed/0knowyourneighbourKYN1KYN2KYN7KYN8KYN6KYN5KYN3KYN4KYN9Our Storyhttps://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/our-story/
https://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/our-story/#respondSun, 11 Aug 2013 19:10:17 +0000http://knowyourneighbour.wordpress.com/?p=3Continue reading →]]>Our networking group was founded on 7th August 2012, as a way for the businesses on the Kingstown Industrial Estate to meet in pleasant surroundings and socialise with each other.

The first event took place on October 3rd with over 60 business people in attendance, and some press as well. You can read In-Cumbria’s article here.

The group has had many successful meetings since, and now we’re are looking at expanding our networking scope. Where previously we have advertised ourselves as a networking group for Kingstown Industrial Estate, we now would like to invite all Cumbrian businesses to our events.

We feel that Cumbria has the feel of one big village and wouldn’t you like to know your neighbours and if you could business with them?